Carrier for containers



Jan. 25, 1944. SLEVlN R CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS F iled June 10, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l 4- J. B. SLEVIN, JR 2,340,230

CARRIER 'FOR CONTAINERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 10, 1940 Manic)": Jiclz'anli Sled/0110;;

' Jan. 25, 1944. J. B. SLEVIN, JR 2,340,230

CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS 1 Filed June 10, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Mercia)": Mani? Sled/11.77

vii-Zorn? Patented Jan. 25, 1944 FFICE CARR FOR CONTAINERS Julian B. Slevin, in, Drexel Hill, Pa. Application dune 10, 19%, Serial No. 339,621

Cia.

This invention relates to a carrier for bottles and the like, that is to say to a device for holding and conveniently carrying a plurality of hotties, cans or other containers for beverages and foods, which carrier is made from a, single sheet of cardboard, or similar material, suitably blanked and formed so that the same may be shipped to the initial users thereof either in fiatcondition in the blank, or in flat condition partially set up.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a carrier for containers such as bottles and the like made from a single sheet of cardboard, or similar tough flexible material, which may be inexpensively made and quickly set up in position to receive the bottles or other containers which are to be carried thereby.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carrier for bottles and other containers which may be either shipped in flat condition in the blank or in fiat condition partially set up, as. ma be desired by the initial user.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a carrier of the character aforesaid which may be placed in a carton in set up but empty condition to receive the bottles or other containers while the carriers are in the shipping cartons thereby to facilitate the packaging of the containers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carrier of the character aforesaid which is so constructed and arranged that the individual containers will be properly held in their respective compartments of the carrier in separated relationship and gripped or held therein with suflicient tension to maintain the same against accidental removal from the carrier after the same is removed from the shipping carton.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carrier of the character aforesaid which is so constructed and arranged that the individual containers may be separately removed from the carrier without disturbing any of the other containers mounted therein, and without requiring the dismantling or destruction of the carrier for the removal of the containers therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carrier of the character aforesaid which is so constructed and arranged that the individual containers, after removal from the carrier for utilization of their'contents, may be returned to the carrier for subsequent handling of the containers.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with at the accompanying drawings, forming parthereof, in which:

Figure l is a front elevational view of a. carrier embodying the main features of the present invention, and having a capacity of three containers, the same being shown in set up condition for the mounting of the containers therein;

Fig. 2 is an and elevation of the carrier shown in F181 1, as viewed from the left of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 4-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blanket sheet from which the carrier illustrated in Fig. l is made,

the same being shown in the flat condition before being set up;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the carrier in a partially set-up condition, that is in the form in which the same may be shipped to the initial user;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a carrier in accordance with the present invention, having a capacitydof two containers, and in set up condition; an

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the blanket sheet from which the carrier shown in Fig. 6 is made, the same being shown in the flat condition before being set up.

It will, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes may be made in the structure disclosed twithout departing from the spirit of the seven- Referring more particularly to the drawings, the carrier therein illustrated preferably includes a rear wall portion substantially the same in height as the container to be mounted therein, a bottom portion, a front portion which is adapted to extend upwardly over a portion of the vertical extent of the container, side wall portions, and partitions for separating the respective containers. As hereinafter more fully pointed out, the respective portions of the carrier are preferably provided by suitable formation of the blank so that the carton may be easily assembled and readily set up for use.

The blank 16 as illustrated in detail in Fig. 5, preferably consists of a single sheet of material such as paper-board, cardboard, or the like, and is divided into a plurality of panels by suitable crease lines as hereinafter more fully referred to. Certain of these panels also have crease lines and lines cut therethrough so that the parts of the respective panels may be readily bent to the desired position for assembly.

The blank Ill, as shown in Fig. 5, includes a panel portion II which is adapted to form a part of the rear wall of the container. The panel portion II has a punched out handle opening at l2, and also has a plurality of slots I3 for receiving the locking corners or tongues of the partitions as hereinafter pointed out. The panel portion II also has side cutouts N for the reception of certain portions of the blank for looking as hereinafter pointed out.

The blank I6 is also provided with a panel portion |2 which is. adapted to forrnthe bottom of the carrier. The panel portion I2 is connected to the panel portion II, a transverse crease line I5 being disposed therebetween. The transverse crease line l5 may, if desired, also be intermittently slitted to aidin bending along the crease line IS. The panel portion l2 also has a transverse crease line l6 thereon. The crease line 6 may also if desired be intermittently slitted to aid in the bending thereof and is preferably disposed at the midpoint between the upper and lower edges of the blank as illustrated in Fig. 5. Another panel portion I1 is provided and is connected to the panel portion l2, a transverse crease line l8 being provided between the panel poi-- tion l1 and the panel portion l2. This transverse crease line I8 may also if desired be slitted to aid in the bending. The panel portion I1 is adapted to form the front wall of the carrier, as hereinafter referred to;

A panel portion is also provided and is connected to the panel portion H, a transverse crease line 2| being provided between the panel portion 20 and the panel portion I1, and a transverse crease line 22 forming the other boundary of thepanel portion 20. The panel portion 26 preferably has a wing 25 connected thereto along each edge, a crease line 26 being provided in alinement with the side edge of the blank. One or more slits may, if desired, be provided in the crease lines 26, intermediate the ends thereof, to aid in bending the wings 25 to the proper position.

Each wing 25 preferably consists of adjoining triangular pieces 21 and 28 with a crease line 29 therebetween, a slit being provided along the crease line 29 intermediate the ends thereof to aid in bending. The other edge of the triangular portion 28 has a crease line 30 therealong, the crease line having an offset cutout to provide a tongue 3| and groove 32. A tab portion 33 is provided and is disposed along and extends from the crease line 3|! and the tongue 3|.

The panel portion 20, between the transverse crease lines 2| and 22 and the crease lines 26 is preferably formed into a number of divisions in accordance with the number of containers to be mounted within the carrier.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, three divisions are provided, to accommodate three containers, these divisions being of substantially equal width if the containers to be mounted within the carrier are uniform in size and shape. The divisions are separated by crease lines 35. v

The two outer divisions as illustrated are preferably similar but oppositely formed. Each outer division has a curved out line 36 which extends from the side crease 26 approximately to the midpoint of crease line 2| of this division, and therealong to the crease line 35 separating the outer division from the intermediate division where it terminates. A out line 31 is also provided which extends diagonally from the out line 36 and spaced from its termination at the crease line 26 toward the Junction of the crease line 35 and the crease line 22 where it terminates, the line 31, having an offset to provide a locking tongue 38 at the intermediate portion of the line. A out line 39 is also provided which extends from the crease line 26 in a curved conformation to the crease line 22, the termination of the out line 39 preferably being approximately at the midpoint of the line 22 bounding this division. A out line 40 is also provided which extends from the out line 31 at an angle thereto to the out line 39, this line 40 being offset to provide a locking tongue 4|.

It will thus be seen that the cut lines of each outer division of the blank provide a plurality of hinged and swingable members for purposes to be explained. The portion 42, which may be moved around the axis provided by the crease line 35, provides a lockable intermediate partltion wall. The portion 43 which may be moved around the axis provided by part of the crease line 26 provides a lockable outer wall and the portion 44 which may be bent around the axis provided by the crease line 22 provides a container engaging flap.

The central division, as illustrated in Fig. 5, preferably has curved cut lines 45 which extend from the side crease lines 35- of this division to parts of the crease line 22 bounding this'divislon, the terminal ends of the lines 45 being spaced along the crease line 22. Curved cut lines 46 are provided which extend from the crease lines 35 to the crease line 2| and then along that line where they meet. A out line 41 is also provided which extends at an angle to the crease lines 45 and then transversely. A out line 48 is also provided which extends from the junction of the cut lines 46 on the crease line 2| to the midportion of the transverse part of the cut line 41. The cut lines hereinbefore referred to define swingable portions 49 bendable about the axes provided by the crease lines 35 to provide lockable intermediate partition walls with looking corners 50, and a portion 5| bendable about the crease line 22 as an axis to provide a container engaging flap.

The panel portion 55, which is also secured to the panel portion 26, preferably has a cut line 56 having curved ends and an intermediate straight portion and a plurality of crease lines 51 transversely disposed along the edge sothat' a tongue 58 is provided which may be swung through the opening |2 for the entrance of the fingers of the user, as hereinafter pointed out In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. '1 and 8 provision is made for a carrier to accommodate two containers. The blank ID, as illustrated in detail in Fig. 8, is generally similar to the blank I0 illustrated in Fig. 5 and is formed into a plurality of panels including a panel portion having a punched out handle opening l2, a single slot l3, and side cutouts I4. The blank I0 is also provided with a panel portion l2, transverse crease lines l5, l6 and |8 being provided as before. The panel portion H to provide the front of the carrier is also provided. The panel portion 20, which is connected to the panel portion I1, is enclosed between transverse crease lines 2| and 22 and side crease lines 26. This panel section 20 also has wings 25 therealong formed of triangular pieces 21 and 28, separated by crease lines 29, the crease line 30 having a cut tongue 3| and groove 32 provided therealong.

The wings 25 also have tab portions 33 extending from the crease line 30 and the tongue at and groove 32. The panel portion 28 between the transverse crease lines 2! and .22 and the crease lines 26, is, in this instance, formed into two divisions to accommodate two carriers, these divisions being of substantially equal width if the containers to be mounted within the carrier are uniform in size and shape. The divisions are separated by a crease line 35.

The division shown to the left in Fig. 8 has a curved out line 36 which extends from the side crease approximately to the midpoint of the crease line 2! of the division and therealong for a short distance, then curves from the crease line 2| and terminates at the crease line 35 A out line 31 is also provided and extends diagonally from the out line 36, and spaced from its termination at the crease line 26, to the junction of the crease line 35 and the crease line 22, where it terminates. The line 31 has an ofiset to provide a locking tongue 38 at the intermediate portion of the line. A out line 39 is also provided which extends from the crease line 26 in a curved conformation to the crease line 22, the termination of the out line 33 preferably being approximately at the midpoint of line 22 bounding. this division. A out line 401s also provided which extends from the out line 37, at an angle thereto,

to the out line 33, this line being ofiset-to provide a tongue fil.

The division shown to the right in Fig. 8 preferably has a curved out line 36 which extends from the side crease 26 approximately to the midpoint of the crease 2| of this division and is then extended to the crease line 35 to a point below the termination of the line 36 A curved out line 65 is provided which extends from the crease line 35 to the crease line 22.

A out line 31 is also provided which extends diagonally from the cutline 36 and spaced from its termination at the crease line 26 to the out line 45 where it terminates, the line 31 having an oifset to provide a locking tongue 38 at the intermediate portion of the line 31. A out line 39 is also provided, which extends from the crease line 26 in a curved conformation to the crease line 22, the termination of the out line 39 preferably being approximately at the midpoint of the crease line 22 bounding this division, and spaced from the terminal end of the line 45 in the crease line 22. A out line 40 is also provided which extends from the out line 3? at an angle thereto to the out line 39, this line 40 being ofiset to provide a tongue 8!. y r

The out lines hereinbefore referred to provide for swingable portions 42- and 32 which serve as lockable intermediate partition walls with tongues 38 adapted for engagement in the opening I3. The portions 43 are swingable around the axes provided by the crease, line as to positions to provide with the wings 25 for lockable outer walls. The portions as and 33 are also swingable about their axes in the crease line 22.

The panel portion 55, which is secured to the panel portion 20, preferably has a out line 55 with curved ends and an intermediate straight portion, nad a plurality of crease lines 5'! transversely disposed along the edge so that a tongue 68 is provided. The tongue 58 may be swung through the opening l2 for the entrance of the fingers of the user, as hereinafter pointed out.

The carrier may, if desired, be shipped fiat in the condition shown in Figs. 5 and 8, but is preferably initially assembled in flat condition by bending the blank along the crease lines 29. The

carrier may then, if desired, be shipped in this condition, but it is preferable, however, that the wings 25 be bentlalong the crease lines 23 and that the tabs 33 be positioned with respect to the panel portion Ii.

Thereupon the panel sections H and 55 as indicated in Fig. 1, and the tabs 33 are fastened to each other, as for example, by the wire stitching at so, which passes through the tab 83, the rear portion I i, and the panel portion 55. Additional stitching as at 6! may also be provided through the rear portion II and the panel portion 55. The carrier is then in the preferable condition for shipping, the same being flat as indicated in Fig. 6.

When it is desired to set up the carrier, this may readily be done by moving the front panel section Il forwardly and away from the panel section II. The side wall members 43 may then be bent and swung around the crease lines 25 to a position in alinement with the triangular parts 2'! and 23 of the wing portions 25. The tongues ll may then he slipped into position past the grooves M and into place between the tongue 3| and the groove 32. The side walls will then be locked in position.

The intermediate partitions 42 may then be compartments which are thus provided with the bottoms of the containers resting on the panel section It,

The manner of assembly of the blank illustrated in Fig. 8 is substantially the same as here tofore indicated for the blank of Fig. 5. The blank is first bent along the crease line l6 and then the wings 25 are bent along the crease lines 29 to position the tab portions 33. The staples 66 and BI are inserted andthe side wall portions 43 swung to position around the axes provided by the crease lines 23 so that the tongues M may be brought into their engaging position as before. The central partition is then formed by swinging the portions 2 and dfi around the axis provided by the crease line 35 to a position such that the tongues 38 extend through and are in engagement with the opening 83.

It will be noted that in the set-up condition the front panel section l1 will be inclined toward the rear. When the bottles or other containers are placed in the respective compartments provided in the carrier in the set up position, by reason of the initial inclination of the front wall panel H, a certain amount of tension will be put upon each of the containers which will serve to prevent the same from being loose within their respective compartments. Resistance against accidental displacement of the containers from their respective compartments will thus be provided. a l

The carriers, constructed as hereinbefore pointed out, may be placed in a set-up condition in the shipping cartons (not shown) and the containers then placed in the respective compartments thus facilitating the packaging of the cartons are closed, a compact package is provided without unnecessary voids or spaces between the ontainers or between the containers and the w 11s of the shipping cartons.

When the cartons with the containers mounted in the carriers are delivered to the retail dealer, it is only necessary to open the top of the carton whereupon access will immediately be had to the handle portions of a particular carrier and the carrier may be readily removed from the carton and delivered to the purchaser with the containers mounted therein,

Each container may be readily removed from the carrier without disturbing any of the other containers, and it is not necessary to separate any of the parts of the carrier for the purpose of removingiany'of the containers therefrom.

It will also be noted that each of the contain ers in the carrier is separated from the containers in the adjacent compartments by one or more thicknesses of the material of the carrier, hence, the bottles will be so held that likelihood of breakage during shipment will be reduced to a minimum.

I claim:

l. A carrier for containers such as bottles and the like, comprising a sheet of flexible material blanked, creased, and formed to provide a vertical rear wall panel, a horizontal bottom panel joined directly to said rear wall panel along a transverse crease line, a front wall panel joined to the bottom panel along a transverse crease line, a panel superimposed on and secured to the upper portion of the rear wall panel, a spacer section extending between said last mentioned or superimposed panel and said front wall panel and having portions disposed in a plane at a substantial inclination to said panels and connected to said panels along transverse crease lines, said spacer section also having partition portions disposed in vertical planes and connected along longitudinal crease lines to the other portions thereof thereby to provide compartments for the reception of the containers, and wings forming end walls connecting the spacer section and the rear wall panel.

2. A carrier for containers such as bottles and the like, comprising a sheet of flerible material blanked, creased, and formed to provide a vertical rear wall panel, a horizontal bottom panel joined directly to said rear wall panel along ,a

transverse crease line, a front wall panel joined to the bottom panel along a transverse crease line, a panel superimposed on and secured to the upper portion of the rear wall panel, a spacer section extending between said last mentioned or superimposed panel and said front wall panel and having portions disposed in a plane at a substantial inclination to said panels and connected to said panels along transverse crease lines, said spacer section also having partition portions disposed in vertical planes and connected along longitudinal crease lines to the other portions thereof thereby to provide compartments for the reception of thecontainers, and wings forming end walls connectingpthe spacer section and the rear Wall panel, said wings and also the bottom panel having intermediate crease lines to permit the carrier to be initially prepared'in flattened con dition.

3. A carrier for containers such as bottles and the like, comprising a sheet of flexible material blanked, creased, and formed to provide a vercontainers in the shipping cartons. When the joined directly to said rear wall panel along a transverse crease line, a front wall panel joined to the bottom panel along a-transverse crease line, a panel superimposed on and secured to the upper portion of the rear wall panel, a spacer section extending between said last mentioned or superimposed panel and said front wall panel and having portions disposed in a plane at a substantial inclination to said panels and connected to said panels along transverse crease lines, said spacer section also having partition portions disposed in vertical planes and connected along longitudinal crease lines to the other portions thereof, thereby to provide compartments for the reception of the containers, and wings forming end walls joined to the spacer section along longitudinal crease lines and having tabs secured to the rear wall panel, said wings and also the bottom panel, having intermediate crease lines to permit the carrier to be initially prepared in flattened condition.

4: A carrier for containers such as bottles and the like,'comprising a sheet of flexible material blanked, creased, and formed to provide a vertical rear wall panel, a horizontal bottom panel joined directly to said rear wall panel along a transverse crease line, a front wall panel joined to the bottom panel along a transverse crease line, a panel superimposed on and secured to the upper portion of the rear wall panel, a spacer section extending between said last mentioned or superimposed panel and said front 'wall panel and having portions disposed in a plane at a substantial inclination to said panels and connected to' s'aid panel along transverse crease lines, said spacer section also having partition portions disposed in vertical planes and connected along longitudinal crease lines to the other portions thereof thereby to provide compartments for the reception of the containers, and wings forming end walls joined to the spacer section along longitudinal crease lines and having tabs secured to the rear wall panel, and the upper portion of at least one of the vertical panels being provided with a hand hole.

5. A carrier for containers such as bottles and the like, comprising a sheet of flexible material blanked, creased, and formed to provide a vertical rear wall panel, a horizontal bottom panel joined directly to said rear wall panel along a transverse crease line, a front wall panel joined to the bottom panel along a transverse crease line, a panel superimposed on and secured to the upper portion of the rear wall panel, a spacer section extending between said last mentioned or superimposed panel and said front wall panel and having portions disposed in a plane at a substantial inclination to said panels and connected to said panels along transverse crease lines, said spacer section also having partition portions disposed in vertical planes and connected along longitudinal crease lines to the otherv portions thereof, and wings forming end walls joined to the spacer section along longitudinal crease lines and having tabs secured to the rear wall panel.

6. A carrier for containers such as bottles and the like, comprising a sheet of flexible material blanked, creased, and formed to provide a vertical rear wall panel, a horizontal bottom panel joined directly to said rear wall panel along a portion of the rear wall panel, a spacer section tical rear wall panel, a horizontal bottom panel extending between said last mentioned or superto lock the carrier in set up condition, and wings forming end walls joined to the spacer section along longitudinal crease lines and having tabs secured to the rear wall panel.

7. A carrier for containers such as bottles and the like, comprising a sheet'of flexible material blanked. creased, and formed to provide a vertical rear wall panel, a horizontal bottom panel joined directly to said rear-wall panel along a transverse crease line, a front wall panel joined to the bottom panel along a transverse crease line, a panel superimposed on and secured to the upper portion of the rear wall panel, a. spacer section extending between said last mentioned or superimposed panel and said front wall panel and having portions disposed in a plane at a substantial inclination to said panels and connected to said panels along transverse crease lines, said spacer section also having partition portions disposed in vertical planes and connected along longitudinal crease lines to the other portions thereof, said partition portions having projections engaging complemental slots in the rear wall panel to lock the carrier in set up condition, and wings forming end walls joined to the spacer section along longitudinal crease lines and having tabs secured to the rear wall panel, and the upper portion of at least one of the vertical panels being provided with a hand hole.

8. A carrier for containers such as bottles and the like, comprising a sheetoi flexible material blanked, creased, and formed to provide a vertical rear wall panel, a horizontal bottom panel joined directly to said rear wall panel along a transverse crease line, a front wall panel joined to the bottom panel along a transverse crease line, a panel superimposed on and secured to the upper portion of the rear wall panel, a spacer section extending between said last mentioned or superimposed panel and said front wall panel and having portions disposed in a plane at a substantial inclination to said panels and connected'to said panels along transverse crease lines, said spacer section also having partition portions disposed in vertical planes and connected along longitudinal crease lines to the other portions thereof, said partition portions having projections engaging complemental slots in the rear wall panel to lock the carrier in set up condition, and wings forming end walls joined to the spacer section along longitudinal crease lines and having tabs secured to the rear wall panel, said wings and also the bottom panel having intermedlatecrease lines to permit the carrier to be initially prepared in flattened condition and the upper portion of at least one of the vertical panels being provided with a hand hole.

9. A carrier for containers such as bottlesand thelike, comprising a sheet of flexible material blanked, creased, and formed to provide a vertical rear wall panel, a horizontal bottom panel joined directly to said rear wall panel along a transverse crease line, a front wall panel joined to the bottom panel along a transverse crease line, a panel superimposed on and secured to the .upper portion of the rear wall panel, a spacer section extending between said last mentioned or superimposed panel and said front wall panel and having portions disposed in a plane ,at a l substantial inclination to said panels andconnected to said panels along transverse crease lines, said spacer section also having partition portions disposed in vertical planes and connected along longitudinal crease lines to the other portions thereof, said partition portions having projections engaging complemental slots in the rear wall panel to lock the carrier in set up condition, and wings forming end walls joined to the spacer section along longitudinal crease lines and having tabs secured to the rear wall panel, said wings and also the bottom panel having intermediate crease lines to permit the carrier to be initially prepared in flattened condition, and the upper portion of the rear wall panel being provided with a hand'hole.

10. A carrier for containers such as bottles and the like, comprising a sheet of flexible material blanked, creased, and formed to provide a vertical rear wall panel, a horizontal bottom panel joined directly to said rear wall panel along a transverse crease line, a front wall panel joined to the bottom panel along a transverse crease line, a panel superimposed on and secured to the upper portion of the rear wall panel, a spacer section extending between said last mentioned or superimposed panel and said front wall panel and having portions disposed in a plane at a substantial inclination to said panels and connected to said panels along transverse crease lines, said spacer section also having partition portions disposed in vertical planes and connected along longitudinal crease lines to the other portions thereof, said partition portions having projections engaging complemental slots in the rear wall panel to lock the'carrier in set up condition, and wings forming end walls joined to the spacer section along longitudinal crease lines and having tabs secured to the rear wall panel, said wings and also the bottom panel having intermediate crease lines to permit the carrier to be initially prepared in flattened condition, and the upper portions of the rear wall panel and the panel superimposed thereon having registered hand 

